The controversy surrounding sexism in tennis has continued in Rome after female players criticised Italian Open organisers for not offering the same prize money as their male counterparts.
Italian tennis federation chief Angelo Binaghi mentioned that the federation had started a process that would lead to equal prize money by 2025. World number seven Ons Jabeur has challenged the organisers by insisting that female players should not have to wait to receive pay parity and called for immediate change.
“I don’t see why we have to wait,” Jabeur told the New York Times. “It’s really frustrating. It’s time for change. It’s time for the tournament to do better.”
It’s time for change 💪 https://t.co/5lsMs2Suf1
— Ons Jabeur (@Ons_Jabeur) May 10, 2023
Spain’s Paula Badosa said she did not understand why there was prize money disparity in Rome, which attracts some of the world’s top names.
“I don’t know why it’s not equal right now,” Badosa said. “They don’t inform us. They say this is what you get and you have to play.”